Officials advise preparing well before the storm hits

Published: Monday, June 3, 2013 at 08:16 AM.

“You can actually put together a kit for one person in a medium size backpack,”
Watts
said. “That helps with the evacuation process.”

People with possessions they feel they must keep safe should plan way ahead,
Watts
said.

“At the end of the day, there’s nothing that is worth your life or your family’s life,”
Watts
said. “Things can be replaced, you and your family can’t.”

Home Depot has a disaster response team to ensure its stores are stocked with the lumber and tools required to weatherproof a structure, said Pete Layne, specialty manager at the Back Beach Road store. They strive to be the last store to close before a storm hits and the first to open once it has passed, he said.

“When your power is out we sell a lot of generators, we sell a lot of
fla
shlights and battery-powered equipment,” Layne said.

The store will conduct hurricane preparedness clinics on Saturdays this month, Layne said.

There are dangers associated even with the equipment used to survive a storm, Layne cautioned. Charcoal grills and gas generators, when used
ind
oors, create emissions that poison the air.

PANAMA CITY — Forecasters predict a busy hurricane season this year. In the event a hurricane makes landfall, utilities could be cut off and rescue services might not be able to reach people who need help.

People are best served planning to fend for themselves for days without gas and electricity, plumbing or access to roads or vehicles, emergency officials said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends keeping certain items required for basic needs on hand. First on the list is food and water, at least a three-day supply of each. Each member of a family will require a gallon of water each day, so a family of five should have at least 15 gallons of water.

“Make sure you have a can opener; an electric one won’t work,” Panama City Fire Chief Wayne Watts said. “And know how to use it.”

An emergency kit should also include a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio. Keep extra batteries for battery powered items.

Keep a first aid kit and a whistle to call for help, and tools like a wrench to turn off utilities. Duct tape, plastic sheeting and dust masks could come in handy.

Unpleasant though it may be to imagine, an emergency kit should include garbage bags, wet-wipes and plastic ties “for personal sanitation,” FEMA says.

Those are just the basic items everyone’s emergency kit should have. People with small children and pets should keep in mind the need for diapers, formula, pet food and extra water.

People who require prescription medication should stock up in case of prolonged isolation. Keep important documents, such as insurance policies or bank account records in a portable, waterproof container, and keep cash or traveler’s checks.

Watts said people should make sure to have a fuel tank well supplied.

Watts urged people to be ready to evacuate quickly. Forecasters might get it wrong sometimes, but that doesn’t mean they’re wrong every time.

“The most important thing is to listen to the local authorities when they tell you it’s time to leave,” Watts said.

Be prepared throughout storm season, Watts said. When a storm approaches, people should be prepared ahead of time for an evacuation order, Watts said. That means keeping a “go-kit” with basic clothing, toiletries, bedding and shoes.

“You can actually put together a kit for one person in a medium size backpack,” Watts said. “That helps with the evacuation process.”

People with possessions they feel they must keep safe should plan way ahead, Watts said.

“At the end of the day, there’s nothing that is worth your life or your family’s life,” Watts said. “Things can be replaced, you and your family can’t.”

Home Depot has a disaster response team to ensure its stores are stocked with the lumber and tools required to weatherproof a structure, said Pete Layne, specialty manager at the Back Beach Road store. They strive to be the last store to close before a storm hits and the first to open once it has passed, he said.

“When your power is out we sell a lot of generators, we sell a lot of flashlights and battery-powered equipment,” Layne said.

The store will conduct hurricane preparedness clinics on Saturdays this month, Layne said.

There are dangers associated even with the equipment used to survive a storm, Layne cautioned. Charcoal grills and gas generators, when used indoors, create emissions that poison the air.

“Every year, there are people that get injured unnecessarily by generators,” he said. “Running a generator inside your house is the ultimate no-no.”

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